The Mythology of the Animal Farm in Children's Literature

Over the Fence

Stacy E. Hoult-Saros

The Mythology of the Animal Farm in Children’s Literature: Over the Fence analyzes the ways in which myths about farmed animals’ lives are perpetuated in children’s materials. Specifically, this book investigates the use of five recurring thematic devices in about eighty books for young children published during the past five decades. The close readings of texts and images draw on a wide range of fields, including animal theory, psychoanalytic and Marxian literary criticism, child development theory, histories of farming and domestication, and postcolonial theory. In spite of the underlying seriousness of the project, the material lends itself to humorous and not overly heavy-handed explications that provide insight into the complex workings of a literary genre based on the covering up of real animal lives.

The overarching theme of Mythology is that children’s stories about farmed animals send the message that farming animals is natural and beneficial for everyone involved, human and nonhuman. Farms are presented as idyllic places to be, with animals happily complicit in their own domination. Hoult- Saros demonstrates how life for farmed animals is invariably portrayed as the opposite of reality. Mythology is an excellent text for social scientists and literary scholars to reflect on notions of humanity, society, and culture as disclosed by human relationships with farmed animals. Humane educators and parents of young children will find myriad uses for this text in helping to initiate and expand discussions of humans’ use of other animals.— The Lion and the Unicorn

Stacy Hoult Saros’ book, The Mythology of the Animal Farm in Children’s Literature: Over the Fence, offers an insightful and necessary lens through which to examine children’s literature and its persistent, misleading view of animals in general and farmed animals in particular. Through Hoult-Saros’ eyes we learn to perceive children’s literature anew and envision a path that will be more honest to children and enable them to effectively perceive and address injustices and cruelty towards animals. This is a tremendously important contribution and offers a path forward for both children and animals.— Zoe Weil, President, Institute for Humane Education

In her book The Mythology of the Animal Farm in Children's Literature: Over the Fence, Dr. Hoult-Saros provides us with fresh look at the relationship between animals and humans in a farm setting. Her mastery of critical interpretation, combined with personal reflection and examples combine to make this an important addition to the field of animal studies as well as an excellent read.— Jody Ballah, University of Cincinnat Blue Ash College

The Mythology of the Animal Farm in Children's Literature

Over the Fence

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Summary

Summary

The Mythology of the Animal Farm in Children’s Literature: Over the Fence analyzes the ways in which myths about farmed animals’ lives are perpetuated in children’s materials. Specifically, this book investigates the use of five recurring thematic devices in about eighty books for young children published during the past five decades. The close readings of texts and images draw on a wide range of fields, including animal theory, psychoanalytic and Marxian literary criticism, child development theory, histories of farming and domestication, and postcolonial theory. In spite of the underlying seriousness of the project, the material lends itself to humorous and not overly heavy-handed explications that provide insight into the complex workings of a literary genre based on the covering up of real animal lives.

The overarching theme of Mythology is that children’s stories about farmed animals send the message that farming animals is natural and beneficial for everyone involved, human and nonhuman. Farms are presented as idyllic places to be, with animals happily complicit in their own domination. Hoult- Saros demonstrates how life for farmed animals is invariably portrayed as the opposite of reality. Mythology is an excellent text for social scientists and literary scholars to reflect on notions of humanity, society, and culture as disclosed by human relationships with farmed animals. Humane educators and parents of young children will find myriad uses for this text in helping to initiate and expand discussions of humans’ use of other animals.— The Lion and the Unicorn

Stacy Hoult Saros’ book, The Mythology of the Animal Farm in Children’s Literature: Over the Fence, offers an insightful and necessary lens through which to examine children’s literature and its persistent, misleading view of animals in general and farmed animals in particular. Through Hoult-Saros’ eyes we learn to perceive children’s literature anew and envision a path that will be more honest to children and enable them to effectively perceive and address injustices and cruelty towards animals. This is a tremendously important contribution and offers a path forward for both children and animals.— Zoe Weil, President, Institute for Humane Education

In her book The Mythology of the Animal Farm in Children's Literature: Over the Fence, Dr. Hoult-Saros provides us with fresh look at the relationship between animals and humans in a farm setting. Her mastery of critical interpretation, combined with personal reflection and examples combine to make this an important addition to the field of animal studies as well as an excellent read.— Jody Ballah, University of Cincinnat Blue Ash College